The new year has been welcomed in by millions, with fireworks lighting up the skies above New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Dubai, China and several European countries as the world rang in 2025.
More than one million people packed the area around Sydney Harbour to watch around nine tonnes of fireworks be blasted from the famed Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The self-proclaimed 'New Year's capital of the world' welcomed in 2025 11 hours before Big Ben rings in the new year in London.
Celebrations were more muted in South Korea after the country was rocked in recent days by political turmoil and the Jeju Air plane tragedy, with a moment of silence held for the 179 victims.
With Seoul's famous Lotte Tower countdown called off and parties cancelled, the new year milestone was marked by somber crowds who watched as the traditional Bosingak bell was rung, without the performances that usually accompany it.
In Japan, crowds gathered at Tokyo's Tokudai-ji to offer their prayers for the new year and take part in the yearly bell-tolling to mark the start of the new year.
In Brazil, revelers at Copacabana Beach were treated to a 12-minute long fireworks display over the shore, as the celebrations moved to the Americas, where thousands of people packed New York City's Times Square to watch as a 12-foot ball adorned with nearly 3,000 crystals dropped at midnight, despite rainy and stormy weather.
The first place to ring in the new year was Christmas Island, officially known as Kiritimati, which is home to more than 7,000 people and is the farthest forward timezone in the world.
The island, which is part of the small nation of Kiribati, was followed by Tonga, Somoa and New Zealand's Chatham Islands soon after.
UNITED STATES: Thousands of people packed New York City 's Times Square to watch as a 12-foot ball adorned with nearly 3,000 crystals dropped at midnight
PARIS: Fireworks illuminate the sky around the L'Arc de Triomphe on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris early January 1, 2025
SYDNEY: Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during 2025 New Year's Day celebrations in Sydney on January 1, 2025
TOKYO: Projections light up the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building to bring in the new year
BRAZIL: Fireworks light up the night sky on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro to ring in 2025 in Brazil
HONG KONG: Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Victoria Harbour during 2025 New Year's Day celebrations in Hong Kong on January 1, 2025
DUBAI: Fireworks explode over the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, during the New Year's celebration in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 1, 2025
EGYPT: Fireworks spark over the historical site of Giza Pyramids just outside Cairo
BERLIN: Fireworks illuminate the sky over Berlin TV Tower and Berliner Dom during New Year's Eve celebrations in Berlin, Germany
BRAZIL: An aerial photograph shows a fireworks display held with the Christ the Redeemer Monument in the foreground during New Year celebrations
SYRIA: Syrians flock to Umayyad Square, Damascus, to celebrate the New Year
The first major cities to welcome in the new year were Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand at 11.00 GMT.
Fireworks were set off from Auckland's iconic Sky Tower as the clock struck midnight in the city - 18 hours before the ball drop in New York's Times Square.
But while the world gears up to enjoy the beautiful displays, Brits are bracing themselves for torrential rain and 70mph winds as they await Big Ben to strike at midnight.
Crowds gathered at landmarks across Japan, New Zealand and Australia into the night as they sought out the best spots to marvel at fireworks and toast champagne.
Chinese state media covered an exchange of New Year's greetings between leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a reminder of growing closeness between the leaders who face tensions with the West.
Xi told Putin their countries will 'always move forward hand in hand,' the official Xinhua News Agency said.
China has maintained ties and robust trade with Russia since the latter invaded Ukraine in 2022, helping to offset Western sanctions and attempts to isolate Putin.
UNITED STATES: A boy reacts while sitting on the shoulders of a man as they gather to watch the ball drop at Times Square
SYDNEY: Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during 2025 New Year's Day celebrations
GREECE: A drone view shows fireworks exploding behind the White Tower during New Year's celebrations, in Thessaloniki
SYDNEY: The Sydney NYE fireworks seen from the Sydney Opera House on January 01, 2025 in Sydney, Australia
MUMBAI: People celebrates New Years Eve in Mumbai on 31 December, 2024
JILIN: Fireworks light up the sky over the Songhua River during a firework show to welcome New Year 2025 on New Year's Eve on December 31, 2024 in Jilin City, Jilin Province of China
TAIPEI: Fireworks light up the Taiwan skyline and Taipei 101 during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 01, 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan
SYDNEY: An estimated one million people spent the new year watching Sydney's fireworks at vantage points around the harbour
BANGKOK: Fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2025
MUMBAI: People pose for photographs at the illuminated sea promenade on New Year's Eve, in Mumbai, India
DUBAI: A light show is presented at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, along with fireworks at a New Year's Eve celebration in Dubai on December 31, 2024
PARIS: Revellers gather on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees to welcome in the New Year, in central Paris on December 31, 2024
LONDON: Revellers queue up on Whitehall in central London before New Year's Eve fireworks will illuminate the night sky over the River Thames near Parliament and the London Eye
Thousands of spectators stand on the Champs Elysee as fireworks illuminate the sky over the The Arc of Triomphe during the New Year's celebrations in Paris, France, January 1, 2025
In India, thousands of revelers in the financial hub of Mumbai flocked to the city's bustling promenade facing the Arabian Sea. In Sri Lanka, people gathered at Buddhist temples to light oil lamps and incense sticks and pray.
In Dubai, thousands are were attending a fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper. And in Nairobi, Kenya, scattered fireworks were heard as midnight approached.
In European capitals like Berlin, Paris and Rome, clocks have already struck midnight and locals celebrated by watching elaborate fireworks displays.
With the end of 2024, the world is waving goodbye to a year that brought Olympic glory, a dramatic Donald Trump return, and turmoil in the Middle East and Ukraine.
It is all but certain 2024 will go down as the hottest year on record, climate-fuelled disasters wreaking havoc from the plains of Europe to the Kathmandu Valley.
As New Year's Eve parties kicked into gear along the picturesque Sydney Harbour on Tuesday afternoon, many revellers were relieved to see the past 12 months in the rearview mirror.
'Obviously there's a lot of war and disruption going on in various places,' insurance worker Stuart Edwards, 32, told AFP as early crowds swelled on Sydney's waterfront.
'It would be nice for the world if it all sort of fixed itself, sorted itself out.'
The 'family fireworks' have already lit up the Opera House and the Sydney Bridge as they do every year at 9pm local time - three hours ahead of the main show.
BAKU: Fireworks light up the night sky over the city to welcome the New Year 2025 as people gather to watch fireworks during the New Year celebrations in Baku, Azerbaijan on January 1, 2025
SYDNEY: A huge display stunned millions in Sydney, Australia
People on London's Embankment waiting for the start of the fireworks display to see in the New Year. Picture date: Tuesday December 31, 2024
SYDNEY: The 'family fireworks' light up the Opera House and the Sydney Bridge, three hours ahead of the main show at midnight
SINGAPORE: Fireworks light up the sky ahead of the new year countdown on December 31, 2024 in Singapore
ATHENS: A drone view shows fireworks exploding behind the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill during New Year's celebrations, in Athens, Greece, January 1, 2025
AUCKLAND: Fireworks blasted from Auckland's iconic Sky Tower as the clock struck midnight
QUEZON CITY: Fireworks explode to celebrate the New Year over Quezon City Memorial Circle in Quezon City, the Philippines, on December 31, 2024
THESSALONIKI: Fireworks explode over Thermaikos gulf next to the White Tower in Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece, during the New Year's celebrations on January 1, 2025
HONG KONG: Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the start of 2025 at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong
KUALA LUMPUR: People take photos of the fireworks exploding near the Petronas Twin Towers, during the New Year's celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, January 1, 2025
SYDNEY: Fireworks illuminate the sky above the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge
More than a million spectators are expected to pack the city's foreshore to catch a glimpse of the pyrotechnics.
'Just to see all the beautiful colours and enjoy being in this situation with so many people in wonderful Australia,' said 71-year-old retired nurse Ruth Rowse.
2024 saw the Paris Olympics unite the world for a brief few weeks in July and August.
Athletes swam in the Seine, raced in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower, and rode horses across the manicured lawns outside the Palace of Versailles.
Taylor Swift brought the curtain down on her Eras tour this year, pygmy hippo Moo Deng went viral, and 16-year-old football prodigy Lamine Yamal helped Spain conquer the Euros.
It was a global year of elections, with countless millions going to the polls across more than 60 countries.
Vladimir Putin prevailed in a Russian ballot widely dismissed as a sham, while a student uprising in Bangladesh toppled the reigning prime minister.
However, no vote was as closely watched as the November 5 contest that will soon see Donald Trump back in the White House.
SYDNEY: An array of green fireworks illuminate the sky above the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge
MELBOURNE: A general view of new years fireworks and light-show looking towards the central business district on January 01, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia
CAIRO: Fireworks spark over the historical site of Giza Pyramids, marking the new year, just outside Cairo, Egypt
HONG KONG: People watching the fireworks exploding over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the New Year
COLOMBO: People take pictures of heart-shaped drone art to celebrate the new year in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on January 1, 2025
BERLIN: Fireworks are set off next to Berlin TV Tower and Berliner Dom during New Year's Eve celebrations in Berlin, Germany
BAKU: Fireworks light up the night sky over the city to welcome the New Year 2025 as people gather to watch fireworks during the New Year celebrations in Baku, Azerbaijan on January 01, 2025
MELBOURNE: Revellers turned out in large numbers to celebrate the new year in Australia
JILIN: Fireworks light up the sky over the Songhua River
HONG KONG: Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the start of 2025 at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong
HONG KONG: A dazzling display of fireworks lights up Hong Kong
AUSTRALIA: The 9pm fireworks or 'family fireworks' display over Newcastle Harbour as seen from Stockton on December 31, 2024 in Newcastle, Australia
AUSTRALIA: Revellers turned out in large numbers to celebrate the new year in Newcastle, Australia
PHILIPPINES: Fireworks explode over Rockwell Center in celebration of the New Year in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines, January 1, 2025
ABU DHABI: People walk at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival as they await the New Years Eve fireworks and drone show in Abu Dhabi on December 31, 2024
DOHA: People watch the fireworks during New Year's celebration in Doha, Qatar, January 1, 2025
DUBAI: This photograph shows fireworks exploding around the Burj Khalifa Tower during New Year's celebrations in Dubai on January 1, 2025
ABU DHABI: Lights shine near a 2025 display in Abu Dhabi
SEOUL: Participants hit a huge bell to welcome the 2025 New Year's Day, during celebrations post midnight at the Bosingak pavilion in central Seoul on January 1, 2025
SEOUL: A woman walks near an illuminated decoration on New Year's Eve in Seoul, South Korea
From Mexico to the Middle East, Trump's looming return as commander-in-chief is already making waves.
The president-elect has threatened to pile economic pain on China and boasted of his ability to halt the Ukraine war within '24 hours'.
Turmoil rippled across the Middle East as Bashar al-Assad fled Syria, Israel marched into southern Lebanon, and doctored electronics exploded in a wave of assassinations targeting Hezbollah.
Civilians grew weary of the grinding war in Gaza, where dwindling stocks of food, shelter and medicine made a humanitarian crisis even bleaker.
'The year 2024 was the most difficult year,' Wafaa Hajjaj told AFP from Deir el-Balah, where masses of displaced residents now cram into crowded tents.
'I lost many loved ones, including my father and close friends, starting from the beginning of the year,' she said.
LONDON: Fireworks explode around the London Eye during New Year's celebrations in London last year
TOKYO: People gathered outside Tokyo Metropolitan Government building to wait and celebrate the upcoming New Year
MOSUL: Fireworks explode during New Year celebrations in Mosul, Iraq January 1, 2025
INDONESIA: People sit among security barriers on the street during the New Year's Eve celebrations at Bundaran Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Jakarta, Indonesia
TAIWAN: Huge crowds gather near Taipei 101 to attend a New Year's Eve countdown celebration, as the island sets to welcome the year 2025, outside Taipei 101, in Taipei
JAKARTA: Fireworks explode as thousands of people gather to watch, in the main business district on New Year's Eve in Jakarta, Indonesia
TOKYO: A projection mapping is displayed on the surface of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, on New Year's Eve, in Tokyo, Japan December 31, 2024
LEEDS: Revellers in Leeds used their coats to protect themselves from the rain as they were heading out for New Year's celebrations
MAKATI: Fireworks light up the sky ushering in the New Year in Makati, Metro Manila on January 1, 2025
'May security and safety return, and may the war finally come to an end.'
There was hope and trepidation as the new year approached in Syria, which is still reeling after Islamist rebels toppled longtime ruler Assad.
'We were hesitant to go out this year because of the security situation, but we decided to overcome our fears and not change our habits,' lawyer Maram Ayoub, 34, told AFP from the capital Damascus.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine inches towards its grim three-year anniversary in February.
Outgunned on its eastern flank, Ukraine must now contend with a Trump administration seemingly intent on winding back crucial military aid.
On the streets of Kyiv, teacher Kateryna Chemeryz wanted 'peace to finally be obtained for Ukraine' and for 'people to stop dying'.
With AI advances on the horizon and rampant inflation tipped to slow, there is still plenty to look forward to in 2025.
Britpop bad boys Oasis will make a long-awaited reunion, while K-pop megastars BTS return to the stage after military service in South Korea.
LIVERPOOL: Revellers make the most New Year's Eve in Liverpool city centre despite the rain
CHONGQING: A high-angle view shows thousands of people gathering at Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street for New Year's Eve celebrations, with bright neon lights, banners wishing 'Happy New Year,' and the iconic Liberation Monument illuminated, on January 01, 2025, in Chongqing, China
DUBLIN: Performers at Dublin Castle during the New Year celebrations on December 31
LEEDS: Revellers brave the pouring rain as they are heading out for New Year's celebrations in Leeds
LONDON: Revellers gather on Embankment in central London ahead of New Year's Eve fireworks
BANGKOK: Fireworks light up the sky over Bangkok, Thailand, during New Year celebrations
HONG KONG: People film fireworks over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, China, on January 1
SINGAPORE: Fireworks explode over the Marina Bay during the New Year celebrations in Singapore, December 31, 2024
COLOMBO: This photograph shows fireworks over the port during the New Year celebrations in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on December 31, 2024
JAKARTA: Local residents look at fireworks as they celebrate the New Year at Ancol Beach in Jakarta on January 1, 2025
WUHAN: People release balloons into the air to celebrate the new year on January 1, 2025 in Wuhan, Hubei Province ,China
SINGAPORE: Fireworks light up the sky to usher in the new year on January 1, 2025 in Singapore, Singapore
BUNDARAN HI: Fireworks light up the night sky over Bundaran HI to welcome the New Year 2025, as crowds of all ages gather to celebrate in Jakarta, Indonesia on January 01, 2025
EDINBURGH: Friends from France who flew to Scotland for New Years Eve celebrations enjoy Hogmanay Edinburgh in The Grassmarket after the official street party was cancelled due to weather on December 31, 2024
GUANGZHOU: New Year greetings slogans displayed at Canton Tower on January 1, 2025 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province of China
AMSTERDAM: Audience during a fireworks show for children at Museum Square in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
EDINBURGH: 2025 created with lights in Edinburgh as the Hogmanay official street party was cancelled due to weather
YOGYAKARTA: Fireworks light up above Prambanan Temple, a 9th-century Hindu temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Yogyakarta on January 1, 2024
Football aficionados will be treated to a revamped 32-team Club World Cup hosted in the United States.
And some 400 million pilgrims are expected at the spectacular Kumbh Mela festival on India's sacred riverbanks - billed as the largest gathering of humanity on the planet.
The UK weather service has already forecast sweltering global temperatures for 2025, suggesting it is likely to rank among the hottest years recorded.
But with electric vehicle sales growing and renewable energy on the rise, there is a shred of hope that glacial progress on climate change may finally gain momentum.
